Seize Jinggoy’s assets – court

The Sandiganbayan on Monday ordered Sen. Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada’s assets seized pending resolution of the P183-million plunder case against him in connection with the pork barrel scam.

In a five-page ruling, the anti-graft court granted a petition by state lawyers for the issuance of a writ of preliminary attachment/garnishment in order to “preserve and prevent any dissipation of prima facie ill-gotten wealth” allegedly acquired by Estrada.

Several real property assets, seven motor vehicles, as well as shares of stocks are included in the list of pieces of property to be seized.

Among the real property assets are six condominium units (one each in Quezon City and Tagaytay City, four in San Juan City), two lots in Quezon City, two houses in Quezon City and five parcels of land (three agricultural land in Lipa City, Batangas, and two residential lots in Quezon City).

The list was based on Estrada’s declarations in his Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN), the bank inquiries made by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) and the lifestyle check authorized by the Office of the Ombudsman.

Estrada’s lawyer Alexis Abastillas-Suarez said they will appeal the court’s ruling.

“The application is not sufficient in form and substance, based on mere allegations and on the basis of hearsay evidence that [are]yet to be proven in court. As we have said, we will resist this all the way,” she told The Manila Times.

Estrada earlier said he has not concealed, removed or disposed of his pieces of property.

“As a matter of fact, the alleged findings of the AMLC only show that his assets are intact and have not been concealed or removed,” Suarez said.

“It is undisputed that the funds in question were never placed in Sen. Estrada’s possession or custody. Under the circumstances, Sen. Estrada cannot be deemed an ‘accountable officer’ of the subject funds. Hence, he cannot be held liable for embezzlement or misappropriation of funds, which he was never in custody or possession of, and for which, he is not considered accountable by law,” she added.

Assistant Ombudsman Asryman Rafanan earlier said the move to seize Estrada’s assets “is necessary to protect the interests of the State and to prevent the removal, concealment and disposition” of alleged ill-gotten pieces of property and proceeds.

In February, the anti-graft court ordered the seizure of some P224.5-million worth of pieces of property and other assets of Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., who is also facing plunder and graft complaints in connection with the pork barrel scam.

Revilla and Estrada are detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Quezon City.

8 Comments

It’s unbelievable how greedy people like Jinggoy are; such an insatiable urge to steal. Before becoming a senator, I’m sure he already belonged to the rich group. Not that he earned much from being an actor; this I doubt. Maybe from being longtime mayor of San Juan. Not content he went on to become a senator and steal even more. I would say the PDAF system was so tempting for him to pass up. Such insatiable greed. Worst, he feeds and pampers his family with stolen money. Surely, payback time has come and he and his family obviously would have to suffer.

Re: Joe JInggoy Estrada’s Property.. The Sandiganbayan Division hearing Jinggoy’s case is right.. The State has to proptect its case by issuing a Preliminary attachment, otherwise the Sennator might tranfers these properties. If he is innocent then the properties are preserved . The only problem is that Jinggoy was charged with pllunder in the GMA admin, now he is agains charged in another president’s admin. A serial Plunderer?

There are questions in life that are difficult to answere
although there are a few to several persons who can come about with an answere.
Why are some people born with-out hands,limbs,eyesight etc.?
because of what is known as accountability in life and that includes past lives in the physical or physical octave of life.Un-paid bad karma in previous lives.
It is always better to admit one’s fault and pay back with full awareness rather than wait for another opportunity to payback when it is already to late.
You can lose a soul that is your own with-out knowing it.
*soul-individual’s own identity(the physical body is only the vehicle of your own soul)

I cant understand why estrada will keep petitioning aginst things. He knows he is going to tria, if for some reason he doesnt have to go to trial his assetts will be returned. If he does go to trial & is found guilty the court will apply to take the assetts off him. Its very easy, so why cause all this trouble. Let the proicess start & comply with the courts & it will all get sorted out much sooner.
Im sure he still thinks he is above the law & i hope he finds out he isnt.

Sandiganbayan should only seize the equal worth in cost of personal assets to the plunder case filed in court. It’s just fair. Now, if the court can probe that the rest of the assets were acquired illegally, then seize them.